Some
pounds, shelters and humane societies may sell "surplus" dogs and cats
to Class B dealers and/or research facilities - a practice commonly
called "pound seizure." To date, only 13 states have outlawed pound
seizure. They are: Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, Vermont and West Virginia. In those states where pound seizure
has not been banned, it is up to each city or county (depending on
whether a facility is city or county run) to decide whether or not to
allow or mandate Pound Seizure.

Whether or not a state-wide ban on Pound Seizure exists, some pounds
or shelters practice pound seizure illegally--some even acquiring pets
illegally. There are known cases of family dogs and cats being picked up
as "strays," being "laundered" through the pound, shelter or humane
society system (by withholding them from view or taking them to an
out-of-town facility to fulfill the required five-day holding period),
and later sold to a dealer or research facility. Having a pound, shelter
or humane society that practices pound seizure in your area means that
every pet is worth money, and increases the chances of pet theft
occurring in your community.

For a sample letter that you can send to your elected officials
regarding pound seizure.

Dear Elected Official,

I am writing concerning your proposed ordinance which would regulate
Animal Control within the city/state/county. We understand that you are
planning to allow "Pound Seizure," the sale of pound animals that have
not been claimed or who have been relinquished by their families to the
highest bidder. Please allow me to explain why I am in opposition to
this practice.

According to In Defense of Animals, who has investigated the thefts
of thousands of dogs and cats since 1995, they have found that when a
local animal shelter decides to sell pound animals, a much higher rate
of pet theft occurs in those areas. This occurs in part because there
exists a profit motive to sell animals. High demand animal research has
created a market for dogs and cats and has insured animal dealers hefty
incomes.

While many animal shelter workers are ethical and hard working, the
temptation to sell homeless animals by the back door for quick cash is
an all too familiar reality across our country.

No one can be certain their own beloved pet will never fall into the
hands of researchers as long as pets from pounds are allowed to be
research subjects. A lost or stolen pet may not be located or rescued in
time to prevent tragedy. Pound seizure can also result in a loss of
revenue for many reasons. Where there is public awareness that impounded
animals will be sold for research, public trust in the Shelter is
tarnished. People abandon animals, which creates more work for animal
control personnel, adds to the formation of dog packs and the
destruction of livestock, and creates health and safety problems. Pound
seizure actually increases the cost of tax-supported animal control.
Please reconsider and not allow animals to be sold from the XX Shelter
(or in XX County or city).